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appalachiablue

(41,052 posts)
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:38 PM Sep 2020

CDC Links Dining Out To Higher Covid-19 Risk

Source: NBC News

By Erika Edwards, 2 hrs ago.

Dining out raises the risk of contracting COVID-19 more than other activities, such as shopping or going to a salon, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The findings come as many states consider the safest ways to reopen businesses, especially restaurants. On Wednesday, for example, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that limited indoor dining will be allowed in New York City starting Sept. 30. The CDC report included 314 people who had COVID-19 symptoms and were subsequently tested for the virus; about half tested positive.

Researchers then asked all participants about their social activities during the two weeks prior to their COVID-19 test. The participants lived in states with varying levels of reopening guidelines: California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Both groups generally reported similar activities, such as going to church, gyms and stores, with one exception: going out to eat or having drinks at a bar or coffee shop. Those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, "were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than were those with negative SARS-CoV-2 test results." And those who were diagnosed without any known exposure to the virus were more likely to report having visited a bar or coffee shop in the previous two weeks...

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-links-dining-out-to-higher-covid-19-risk/ar-BB18Utoe



MASKS:

"The increased risk makes sense; it's easy to wear a mask in stores or in places of worship, but it's nearly impossible to do so while eating and drinking," said Dr. Todd Rice, a co-author of the report and a Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr. associate professor of medicine.

Maskless individuals are also often close together when eating at a restaurant, sitting across the table from one another.

Researchers failed to include info. about whether diners sat indoors or outdoors. A blunder or deliberate omission.
_____________

*TIPS: 'How To Navigate Dining Out In The Age of Covid-19,' Columbus Monthly, Aug. 6, 2020.
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/foodanddining/20200806/how-to-navigate-dining-out-in-age-of-covid-19


21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CDC Links Dining Out To Higher Covid-19 Risk (Original Post) appalachiablue Sep 2020 OP
They need more data - did the restuarants have social distancing? How many were bars? Inside or out? Liberty Belle Sep 2020 #1
For sure, social distancing between people & tables, as much appalachiablue Sep 2020 #4
I do meet friends once a week outdoors where we're usually the only people there soothsayer Sep 2020 #2
Sounds like you're doing the best possible, bon appetit! appalachiablue Sep 2020 #6
It makes me feel a wee bit more secure soothsayer Sep 2020 #21
K&R Blue Owl Sep 2020 #3
I admit I enjoy being able to go into a place to relax and eat however at this moment with this cstanleytech Sep 2020 #5
This is why when PA goes to "50% capacity" on 9/21, Philly will not go with the rest of the state BumRushDaShow Sep 2020 #7
That mask addition is clever, and probably better than nothing. Merlot Sep 2020 #9
It looks like an inexpensive way to handle the problem BumRushDaShow Sep 2020 #10
well, duh. nt Javaman Sep 2020 #8
we eat out about once a week, to help keep our happy places in business... dhill926 Sep 2020 #11
We're trying to do the same, although we will sit inside the door oldsoftie Sep 2020 #12
duh. people take their masks off to eat Orangepeel Sep 2020 #13
Lets slip that one..... paleotn Sep 2020 #14
Here in my neighborhood in NYC, almost none of the restaurants with NYC Liberal Sep 2020 #15
Sounds really bad, biz hurt economically, but still. appalachiablue Sep 2020 #17
Not Even Thinking About "Eating Out" here LovingA2andMI Sep 2020 #16
Same here. Ohiogal Sep 2020 #18
How about outdoor dining ? JI7 Sep 2020 #19
Better outdoors, more ventilation, but still space out seating appalachiablue Sep 2020 #20

Liberty Belle

(9,528 posts)
1. They need more data - did the restuarants have social distancing? How many were bars? Inside or out?
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:46 PM
Sep 2020

Take sensible precautions.

If I go to a restaurant we choose outdoors if possible. We avoid those where the tables don't look far enough apart.

If seated with another person, try to get a table for four or more and sit not directly across from each other.

appalachiablue

(41,052 posts)
4. For sure, social distancing between people & tables, as much
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:54 PM
Sep 2020

space apart as possible. Outdoors is better for ventilation of course. How in summer could that be overlooked..

From the article: "Infectious disease experts maintain that outdoor spaces are safer than indoor areas, which have less ventilation. The CDC's guidelines for dining out indicate that drive-thrus, delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up carry the lowest risk for COVID-19 transmission."

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
2. I do meet friends once a week outdoors where we're usually the only people there
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:51 PM
Sep 2020

We wear masks except when eating/drinking but that’s when I wear my plastic face shield. Easy to dine/drink with that on. I know it’s no substitute for real masks but it’s better than nothing and keeps everyone mindful that things aren’t back to normal.

appalachiablue

(41,052 posts)
6. Sounds like you're doing the best possible, bon appetit!
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:57 PM
Sep 2020

I bought a face shield and keep forgetting about it..

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
21. It makes me feel a wee bit more secure
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 10:51 PM
Sep 2020

Like I said, also a good reality check fir everyone who spies it ha

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
5. I admit I enjoy being able to go into a place to relax and eat however at this moment with this
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 04:57 PM
Sep 2020

virus it is simply ill advised to do so and thus that is why I do not do so and others really need to do that as well.
That does not mean people need to stop doing business with restaurants though as many places offer take out service as well as delivery so that is what people should be doing until this thing clears up.

BumRushDaShow

(127,297 posts)
7. This is why when PA goes to "50% capacity" on 9/21, Philly will not go with the rest of the state
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 05:44 PM
Sep 2020

and will stay at 25% capacity for indoor dining (with no bars-only facilities permitted to open).

I recall seeing an article from Japan with a restaurant that developed a mask addition to a standard mask that is configured like a napkin and can be placed in front of the mouth to allow diners to eat while "masked" - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/08/08/business/corporate-business/japan-saizeriya-restaurant-face-mask/

A demo video (in Japanese) is here -

&feature=emb_logo

BumRushDaShow

(127,297 posts)
10. It looks like an inexpensive way to handle the problem
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 06:48 PM
Sep 2020

I think the idea was to provide those at each table along with the dinnerware/silverware and napkins.

dhill926

(16,234 posts)
11. we eat out about once a week, to help keep our happy places in business...
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 06:55 PM
Sep 2020

always distanced and always outside. We wouldn't eat indoors even with distancing...

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
12. We're trying to do the same, although we will sit inside the door
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 08:23 PM
Sep 2020

They keep the doors open & have everyone spread out.

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
15. Here in my neighborhood in NYC, almost none of the restaurants with
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 09:08 PM
Sep 2020

outdoor dining are following the law. They have tables crammed in together, barely any space. For the most part they’ve been in a sectioned off space of the parking lane, but now a lot of places are starting to put tables on the sidewalk itself, despite the law requiring pedestrians to have at least 8 feet of space to pass.

You couldn’t pay me to go to a restaurant right now.

appalachiablue

(41,052 posts)
17. Sounds really bad, biz hurt economically, but still.
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 09:25 PM
Sep 2020

People go there, packed in, wow.

For the few geniuses who commented the article was duh, common knowledge, I'd like to show them your post. But nah.

Many still don't realize how most Covid infection spreads-- via mouth, nasal area particles-- and the risks some take.

LovingA2andMI

(7,006 posts)
16. Not Even Thinking About "Eating Out" here
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 09:15 PM
Sep 2020

Period for years. Carry out. Eat it at home. We're quite fine with that.

Ohiogal

(31,658 posts)
18. Same here.
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 09:53 PM
Sep 2020

Haven’t eaten in a restaurant since last Feb. too risky.

We do occasionally get takeout (curbside service)

From reading the article, it’s the airflow/ventilation in a crowded room that seems to transmit the virus. Plus people removing masks to eat.

I enjoy dining out, but will pass on it until pandemic is over, it’s just too risky

appalachiablue

(41,052 posts)
20. Better outdoors, more ventilation, but still space out seating
Thu Sep 10, 2020, 10:10 PM
Sep 2020

and wear masks. Servers should always wear masks too. *See post #15 on NYC outdoor dining, literally on the sidewalk.

The CDC study forgot to ask respondents whether they dined indoors or outdoors, in summer no less.

>NBC.. "One limitation of the report is that the researchers did not ask participants whether they ate or drank indoors or outdoors. Infectious disease experts maintain that outdoor spaces are safer than indoor areas, which have less ventilation. The CDC's guidelines for dining out indicate that drive-thrus, delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up carry the lowest risk for COVID-19 transmission."
____________

Also, 'Dining Out In The Age of Covid-19'
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/foodanddining/20200806/how-to-navigate-dining-out-in-age-of-covid-19

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